🗞️ Burgers or bust

Oh, hi Halifax!

As Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States on Jan. 20 in Washington DC, I’m certain there were some huge looming concerns on the minds of everyone in attendance: The erosion of democracy as we know it, the imminent stripping of fundamental human rights and—probably most pressing of all—how will this all affect the second smallest province in Canada?

Luckily for us, we paid for the province’s Minister of Opportunities and Social Development to be boots on the ground to talk some sense into this very captive audience about tariffs; an issue that nobody at the time was even worried about because we all just thought it was a stupid thing Trump said once to get some votes. 

While the trip was brought up by the opposition in question period yesterday, conservative minister Scott Armstrong said that he was “proud to do it” and that he was “working on behalf of Nova Scotia and I’m convinced that we need to do more of that to express our views and get more support as we take on Donald Trump and his tariffs.”

Sir, you are an MLA in Nova Scotia. Calm down.

The minister's expense statement lists the trip as being from Jan. 19-21. The total cost, which included a return flight from Halifax to Washington and two nights at a Hilton hotel in Arlington, Va., was $3,288.47.

My personal favourite part of the story? After bragging about how “it isn’t the easiest ticket to get”, he was left out in the cold when the inauguration was moved inside and space was more limited. Which should tell you all you need to know.

Don’t worry though, he says he spent most of his time at the Canadian embassy, definitely working and NOT swilling red wine, eating prime rib and then passing out in Egyptian cotton. 

Probably.

– Julie

📷 @editorjulesl

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌤️ 9°

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 9°

Next Day: 🌤️ 6°

7-day forecast

🚗 Driving, biking or busing today? Check out the current traffic conditions and ongoing road closures.

NEWS

Bill 12 has been called egregious, short-sighted, Trump-style, far-reaching and destabilizing: Here’s what you need to know

Everyone who has spoken about Bill 12 supports increased funding accountability and oversight within universities—students, workers, teachers, government members and the auditor general. 

Many support increasing funding, too, along with standardized financial reporting and clear language about what the province means by strategic social and economic priorities. The province covers a third of universities’ operating expenses. If that were to rise, as students and faculty have pointed out, universities could change their long-term budgets and rely less heavily on increased student tuition and fees, including international student tuition. 

University administrators have said that universities already well-regulate, monitor, and report their financial operations based on legislation, bicameral governance, university mandates and funding agreements that already exist. University presidents are currently negotiating new funding agreements with the province to replace one-year deals that expire March 31.

Wanting universities to be more accountable for the money they receive from the province is not the problem with Bill 12. The problem with the bill, an Act Respecting Advanced Education and Research—and this has been expressed over the past month in campaigns, letters, rallies, and presentations at the Public Bills Committee—is that it consolidates decision-making power with the minister of advanced education and creates no safeguards for academic freedom, institutional autonomy, student rights or workers' rights.

The bill gives the minister the power to direct research funds based on undefined key strategic priorities for the province, stack university boards of governors with half their seats, limit remaining BOG membership, and set universities on a revitalization course that can bypass workers’ rights, based on consultation with groups determined by the minister. 

The bill has been called “egregious,” “short-sighted,” “Trump-style,” “far-reaching” and “destabilizing.” 

The New Democrats asked that the legislation be paused until comprehensive consultation happens and amendments can be made. However, the Tory-held majority at the Public Bills Committee voted the bill back to the Committee of the Whole House on Tuesday. 

Late debate was adjourned Wednesday without a vote, so Bill 12 will get another day in House today.

🤔 Need To Know

🚨 A Bible Hill, N.S., man has been charged with first-degree murder in the 2023 death of a woman that RCMP now say is a case of intimate partner violence—Richard Craig Barrett, 31, was charged Monday.

💸 The 55 MLAs who sit in the provincial legislature will be getting a $921 increase in their constituency budgets—an all-party committee has also approved a motion to automatically tie all future budget increases to the cost of living.

🇨🇦 The Conservative party is breaking from tradition and will not be allowing media onboard planes and buses to cover Pierre Poilievre’s election campaign.

🛏️ FAT JULIET, Shakespeare by the Sea and Eastern Front Theatre's award-winning Shakespearean sleepover romp opens tonight at Alderney Landing, running until next Saturday the 29th. PWYC tickets start at $20.*

🤣 Luke Lynndale Live! High-energy, fast, and hilarious—his raw, absurd rants bring non stop laughs. Buckle up for a wild ride you won’t forget!*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY ART GALLERY OF NOVA SCOTIA

Séamus Gallagher: OH BABY at AGNS

Experience brand new work by Séamus Gallagher in their exhibition OH BABY at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Inspired by a gender reveal gone horribly wrong, Gallagher examines themes of gender performance, border collapse, climate crisis, and the ways in which technology shapes and limits our worldview, while continuing to fail us so spectacularly.  

Part camp, part speculative fiction, this multimedia exhibition combines several practices, from drag and video game design to photography, lenticular and 3D printing. 

OH BABY looks to the past while reimagining the future and considers what might be left when binaries and boarders no longer hold.   

AGNS is open Tuesday - Sunday 10am-5pm, and until 9pm on Thursdays.

FOOD + DRINK

Burger bash is right around the corner

It’s getting real Halifax! Halifax Burger Bash is just around the corner, so it’s time to check out the offerings and make your game plan for the 10-day burger binge.

Halifax’s annual city-wide burger love fest is back for its 13th year. For 2025, Halifax Burger Bash—hosted by The Coast—runs April 3-12. This year, there are more than 150 tasty patties on offer at 135 locations across the city. 

Each burger either comes at a set price of $8 or less, or else participating restaurants donate a portion from each burger to Feed Nova Scotia. In the past 12 years of Burger Bash, you’ve helped raise just shy of $1 million for the provincial food relief nonprofit.

Check out all the offerings, from bacon jam brie burgers to lamb, halloumi and falafel burgers below!

🗞️ In Other News

🏘️ HRM is starting a program that aims to create more housing across the region by encouraging property owners to build secondary units—eligible residents can receive up to $12K to help reduce building expenses related to water and wastewater.

🤸‍♀️ Halifax Olympian Ellie Black has no plans of retiring—she is gearing up for the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles and has her sights set on competing in her fifth Olympics.

⚖️ A former Halifax-area elementary school principal accused of historical sexual assault has denied all the allegations made against him—Steve Hutchin concluded his testimony in his own defense Tuesday afternoon.

🛍️ Hudson’s Bay may start to liquidate its stores this week and operators at the two Maritime malls are worried how the iconic store’s closure could impact them and shoppers.

🐴 The Sable Island Institute has launched its first artist residency program—one chosen artist will get the chance to spend two weeks on the island this October in hopes they will be inspired by its unique environment to create an original work of art.

💸 A Nova Scotia human rights lawyer says it is a “borderline human rights violation” for the provincial government not to do more to help life income assistance recipients out of poverty.

SPONSORED BY NEPTUNE THEATRE

Last Chance to see The New Canadian Curling Club

Hurry hard! Neptune Theatre's production of The New Canadian Curling Club closes on Sunday, March 23. Audiences have been loving this sweet, thoughtful comedy about what it means to be truly Canadian.

"Such a humorous satire on immigration. I loved how the curling rink was used as the place to bring all cultures together." - EO via post show survey

Tickets start at $33. Book Today

🗓️ Things To Do

Looking for something to do this week? Check out these Coast picks:

🗓 Spontaneity Improv March Showcase: Spontaneity Improv Company presents their monthly showcase and our group of talented improvisers will be taking the stage and improvising based on audience suggestions. Get your tickets now and take part in the show by calling out suggestions and inspiring our hilarious improv scenes. | March 20 | 7:30pm | $15 |

🗓 Theory of a Deadman Unplugged Tour: Sonic Concerts presents Theory of a Deadman Unplugged with special guest Jeff Martin at the Lighthouse Arts Centre. | March 20 | 8pm | $83 |

🗓 The Piano Men - Still Rock 'n Roll: After his hugely popular Piano Men and Simon & Garfunkel concerts, the golden-voiced Jim Witter returns to Symphony Nova Scotia! This time, Jim and his four-piece band pick up where the critically acclaimed Piano Men left off – in the 1970s and ’80s, with even more songs from legendary icons Billy Joel and Elton John. | March 21-23 | From $48 |

Have an event to share? Let us know at [email protected].

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

➡️ The Zim Virginia container ship leaves Halifax for New York at 3:30am.

🚢➡️  The MSC Sines container ship arrives in Halifax from Sines, Portugal at 5:20am and leaves for Montreal at 5pm.

🚢➡️  The Atlantic Sea container ship arrives in Halifax from Liverpool at 6:20am and leaves for New York at 5pm.

🚢 The NYK Rumina container ship arrives in Halifax from Caucedo, Dominican Republic at 3:20pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🍹 Hit up happy hour (or any day/time of the week) at Bar Kismet and try the Bean Here Before: vodka, red bean, pineapple sake, green tea and lemon.

🍜 If you’re looking for an adventurous, Asian twist on your lunch, don’t miss the Jakarta Beef Noodle Bowl at Studio East: maritime beef, ketjap manis, shiitake mushrooms, crisp veggies, vinegar, topped with their signature bulgogi beef spring roll and plum sauce.

👀 In Case You Missed It

🎭 When Winnipeg native Stevey Hunter graduated from Dalhousie’s Fountain School of Performing Arts, they quickly became disillusioned by the options for roles available to them. So they did what any good creative does; they wrote one for themself. And thus, FAT JULIET was born: A modern re-telling of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet told entirely from Juliet’s point of view.  Julie Lawrence was at Eastern Front Theatre to talk to cast and crew as they put the finishing touches on the production before it opens on March 20.

🇨🇦 A Nova Scotia clothing brand built on strength and resilience is expanding its message to all of Canada—Mi’kma’ki Strong was designed to create more awareness and share a message where peace and friendship are honoured by the 1752 treaty.

That’s it!

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